Bulgaria's EU nominee quizzed on financial dealings

Euronews

Doubts have been raised over whether Bulgaria’s nominee for EU commissioner will be able to secure her job after Rumiana Jeleva faced a barrage of questions in the European parliament yesterday.

Allegations have been made over her business interests and those of her husband’s back home, suggesting links with organised crime.

Jeleva is currently Bulgaria’s foreign minister but is up for the Humanitarian Aid portfolio.

Addressing the deputies she asserted her suitability for the job: “Rumours and allegations against my husband or myself are completely unfounded. I think we can concentrate just now on the subject of this hearing.”

But the deputies did not let it go there and several including fellow Bulgarian MEPs repeatedly questioned her over her declaration of business interests, which she had to submit along with other nominee commissioners.

Jeleva has assured the EU parliament that she has a dossier with all the relevant information proving compliance with Bulgarian law. Parliamentarians said they would have further discussions about her candidacy in the coming days.

MEPs cannot veto an individual but they have the power to vote against the entire new Commission.